Slip-and-fall accidents can occur just about anywhere and can result in serious injuries no matter where they occur. Some of the most common locations for a slip-and-fall accident include:
- Grocery stores
- Apartment complexes
- Restaurants and bars
- Movie theaters
- Gas stations
- Shopping malls
- Hotels
- Sidewalks and parking lots
If you have suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall accident, you may be able to file a personal injury suit against the property owner and other negligent parties based on the theory of premises liability.
What causes a slip-and-fall?
A slip-and-fall can occur for many different reasons, but many occur due to a hazardous or defective condition on the premises. Common hazards include:
- Wet/sticky/slippery floors
- Spilled food or liquid
- Uneven tiles or torn carpeting
- Poorly maintained parking lots
- Icy sidewalks
- Improperly placed furniture or floor displays
- Poor lighting
Proving a premises liability claim
To build your slip-and-fall case, you will likely need to prove that the property owner was at-fault for your accident. Proving a slip-and-fall requires you to:
- Establish that you were a business invitee or lawful visitor on the property.
- Establish the existence of a dangerous or hazardous condition on the property at the time of your accident.
- Establish that the property owner failed to take reasonable action to inspect the premises, remedy the dangerous condition, and/or warn of the dangerous condition.
- Establish that the property’s owner’s negligent actions caused your accident.
- Establish that you suffered damages as a result of the accident.
While a dangerous condition on the premises often causes or contributes to a slip-and-fall, the property owner may argue that the victim contributed to his or her own accident by wearing ill-fitting shoes or failing to pay attention to their surroundings. In contributory negligence states like Virginia, slip-and-fall victims who are even partially liable for their own accident will not be allowed to recover compensation. A personal injury attorney can give you an honest and thorough evaluation of your case and advise you on your legal options.